Four Lady Cougar Soccer players sign to play at the next level

Four players from the Barton Community College women's soccer team have signed letters of intent to play next season at the NCAA and NAIA levels.  The Utah duo of Bianca Barron and Olimpia Bonilla will take their talents to Division I University of Detroit Mercy, Mariana Poveda will head to Albany, New York, to play for The University of Saint Rose on the Division II level, while Millie York will take her defensive prowess to the NAIA level Georgia's Brenau University.

Barron and Bonilla, who were rivals back in the Utah playing days, formed a tight bond prior to and during their time at Barton.   While not necessarily requiring playing at the next level together, the opportunity to continue to play at the same school was too good to pass up.   Battling back to full strength from a freshman season injury, the inspirational Poveda chose Saint Rose despite being heavily recruited by rival University of Bridgeport.  Millie York, a freshman transfer to Barton, anchored the Lady Cougars' backline with Bonilla and will take three years of eligibility to Georgia.

The four Lady Cougars were a core of players guiding Barton to a 13-4-1 record this season and an 11-1-1 mark in the Jayhawk Conference to finish tied for second in the conference. Spending much of the season in the national polls, the Lady Cougars season came to an end for the second straight season in the Region VI semifinals, falling 1-0 to Johnson County Community College.

Bianca Barron
Going down in Lady Cougar soccer history as one of the most skilled and prolific scorers to don a Barton uniform, Bianca Barron left her mark in multiple categories.  Despite being only 5'1", Barron utilized her exceptional ability to utilize her body to ward off defenders especially in drawing the attention of multiple defenders.

"Barton helped me grow as a student, as well as, an athlete," Barron said. "The coaching staff has been a great inspiration on and off the field pushing me to never give up and inspiring me to continue playing and pursuing my education."

A first team All-KJCCC and All-Region VI selection her freshman season after scoring 31 goals, Barron was a big surprise to other teams and was partnered up with another goal scorer which made it easier for her to get free and score goals.  During Barron's sophomore season, Barron was constantly the defensive focus of opponents and despite not having a scoring partner and being marked by two or three players, Barron was still able to score 20 goals in eighteen games. Barron capped her second team All-KJCCC and All-Region VI honors this season with the NSCAA honor signifying her place as one of the top fourteen players in the West Region.

"Being away from home these past two years has been difficult but the support system of coaches, teachers, and friends helped me get through it," said Barron.  "I'm very happy I got the chance to be part of the amazing program Barton offered me."

Earning the 2014 Barton Female Athlete of the Year, Barron ranks second all-time in goals (51), fourth in points (118), and fifth in assists (16).  In addition to her career achievements, Barron scored five goals three times in her career and recorded the sixth best single game performance in points (11) her freshman season.

Detroit Mercy is coming off its fifth best season in program history at 11-8-1 finishing a single season best 8-0 at home outscoring opponents 23-0.   

"I am looking for Bianca to be an offensive mid who can be our playmaker, but also looking for her to score goals for us," said Detroit Mercy Head Women's Soccer Coach Mike Lupenac. "Her creativity will give us more of an attack going forward and that much needed punch on the offensive side of the ball."

Barron plans to graduate from the University of Detroit Mercy with a degree in social work.

"I'm very excited to continue my playing and academic career," Barron said. "I feel very blessed Detroit Mercy offered me a scholarship to continue both my dreams at a Division I school."

Olimpia Bonilla
Olimpia Bonilla was the anchor of a defensive line only surrendering seventeen goals all season with five of those coming during the season's first two games.  Nicknamed the terminator for her ability to thwart offensive attacks throughout the back line, the 5'3" Bonilla read the game very well utilizing her speed and athleticism to challenge balls in the air and tackle hard.  Her performance earned the distinction of being named the KJCCC Defensive Player of the Year to go along with first team selection to both the All-KJCCC and All-Region VI teams.

"I really enjoyed Barton because I've made many good memories," said Bonilla. "I met so many great people.  One of the things I enjoyed the most was working with our coach (Head Coach Aaron Avila) as he is one of the greatest coaches I've ever had.  I'm going to miss him so much and all my friends at Barton.  I feel I made a family at Barton and I'll definitely miss everyone."

The Salt Lake City, Utah, native was also a strong leader with high skill level that elevated the Lady Cougars to a solid defensive team earning goalkeeper Stephanie Lomas four weekly conference goalkeeper of the week awards.  Bonilla's performance followed a an equally solid freshman season being named second team to both the All-Conference and All-Region VI teams.

"I feel very excited to continue playing soccer while working towards my degree," Bonilla said. "I'm looking forward to having a good season, meet my teammates, and working towards my degree in Nursing."

Adding Bonilla to an already strong Detroit Mercy defensive line that recorded a school best ten shutouts, the Titans will continue to be one of the top defensive teams in the Horizon League.

"I feel Olimpia gives us somebody who can attack out of the outside back position," said Detroit Mercy Head Women's Soccer Coach Mike Lupenac. "Her ability to defend and attack will allow us to create more scoring opportunities."

Mariana Poveda
Despite missing eight games her freshman season due to injury, Mariana Poveda followed her second team all-conference and all-region selection with another solid season to earn second team honors again. The 5'2" midfielder from San Jose, Costa Rica, has been the Lady Cougars' best midfielder for the past two years and was recognized for her dedication and work ethic in being named the 2014 Barton Most Inspirational Female Athlete.

Possessing complete knowledge of the game and the ability to distribute or shoot on all areas of the field, Poveda ranks sixth all-time on the Barton history books with 15 assists.  On and off the field, Poveda has a contagious smile been a leader to lift her teammates to a higher level and has been an integral part of Barton's successful seasons the past two years.

"Barton taught me how to be independent," Poveda said. "It's hard being away from my country, family, and friends.  I've met and got to know a lot of amazing people at Barton, been part of my soccer team/family, and felt it was the best God could give me.  Now I'm excited to move on and see what God has for me at Saint Rose."

Saint Rose further solidified itself this past season as one of the nation's top collegiate soccer programs at any level. The Golden Knights recorded their sixth straight 20-win season, set a school record with 19 shutouts, and won their sixth Northeast-10 Conference Championship within the past seven seasons. Advancing to their sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament Regional Championship game, Saint Rose has made eleven NCAA Tournament appearances since 2002.  

"I chose Saint Rose because they have one of the best programs of Graphic Design (my major) and the soccer team is ranked high in the nation," said Poveda.   "It was a tough choice between Bridgeport but I feel God is leading me to Saint Rose."

In addition to the on-field performances by the Golden Knights, the team has earned twelve NSCAA/Adidas Team Academic Awards since 2001 bringing a balance of academic and athletic excellence.

"We see Mari as being a dynamic, skillful playmaker in the midfield," said Saint Rose Head Women's Soccer Coach Laurie Darling Gutheil.  "Her refined technical abilities combined with great athleticism will enable her to make an immediate impact.

Darling Gutheil has led the Golden Knights since the 1996 season, earning a multitude of coaching honors including being a two-time NSCAA National Coach of the Year and guiding Saint Rose to the 2011 National Championship.

"Mari has the competitiveness and high work rate that she exhibits in both training and matches which will allow her to transition seamlessly into the program as well," added Darling Gutheil. "We hope she will be able to utilize her creativity and attacking mindset to create goal scoring opportunities." 

Millie York
York brought a high level of technical ability and toughness to compliment Bonilla's speed in the backline.  Earning first team All-KJCCC honors and second team All-Region VI honors.

"I am thrilled to have Millie join our team this fall!" said Brenau Head Coach Mike Locstampfor. "She made a great impression on the team and me when she visited – not just in how she played but just as importantly, her ability to connect with our players."

Arriving to the States from Hove, England, the 5'5" freshman transferred to Barton after sitting out a year at Hutchinson Community College.

"I really loved my time at Barton," said York. "I'm sad to be leaving a great coach who taught me a lot and improved me as a player more than any coach I've had before."

York provided a keen soccer knowledge and toughness to the Lady Cougar defensive line that only surrendered seventeen goals all season with five coming during the season's first two games.  York along with her defensive mates helped earn goalkeeper Stephanie Lomas four weekly conference goalkeeper of the week awards.

"Millie possesses all the qualities we look for," said Locstampfor. "She is comfortable with the ball, can serve a long ball, is strong in the tackle and has a tremendous work ethic.  In all likelihood she will see a great deal of playing time in a holding midfield role.  We look forward to Millie joining the Golden Tiger family this fall and anticipate she will make an immediate contribution to our program."

Addtional photos available by request.